Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 26, 1995 TAG: 9507260030
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER
SOURCE: BRIAN KELLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The good news: the county might actually be able to build its replacement for close to $450,000.
That's the amount the county has left from an insurance settlement on damage that closed the Mid-County Park pool in May 1994.
Back then, the county hoped to replace the pool off U.S. 460 outside Christiansburg by this spring. But the insurance settlement dragged on for months. Finally, the county advertised for bids, hoping to secure a contractor and reopen the pool by this month.
But the proposals far exceeded the budget in April 27 and June 29 bid openings. Martin O'Toole, the county's engineer, went back to the drawing boards this month with both the pool designer and with the low bidder in the second opening, Virtexco Corp.
They've come up with a child-friendly design that stresses fun - with a slide, a floating alligator and snake and a mushroom-shaped fountain called a "Rain Drop" - over the traditional lap-swimming shaped pool.
"It's a much more interesting pool" and also closer to the $450,000 budget, O'Toole told the county Board of Supervisors on Monday. O'Toole said he's pushing an "aggressive schedule" that will bring a contract back for approval next month and could see construction start by September. The idea would be to complete the pool in time for next summer's season.
In other news nuggets Monday, the Board of Supervisors:
nAppointed H. Ray Alcorn Jr. to the county Planning Commission to replace Ward Teel, who resigned over what he views as overzealous government regulation. This will be Alcorn's second time on the commission. Two years ago, the supervisors declined to reappoint Alcorn. The only issue publicly discussed back then was an unpaid $92.39 county tax bill. Alcorn said all of his current real estate and personal property taxes have been paid. The board chose Alcorn over four other applicants with only one opposing vote, from Supervisor Joe Stewart.
nApproved a $196,185 contract with Sirsi Corp. to provide an automated checkout system for the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library. The move will allow libraries in Christiansburg, Blacksburg and Floyd to move away from the old-fashioned, labor-intensive paper method of checking out and tracking books. The Huntsville, Ala.-based Sirsi Corp. was the low bidder in price and long-term maintenance costs, said library director Karen Dillon. It won out over six other bidders, including the Blacksburg-based VTLS Inc. The county will pay part of the cost with $150,000 from the $1.88 million library bond sale, which voters approved in November 1993. The $46,185 balance will come from library fund raising, library budget savings and a $9,100 state grant.
nRezoned land at Alleghany Springs Road and U.S. 11/460 in Shawsville for a branch of First National Bank.
nAltered zoning rules so Montgomery Regional Hospital can place a larger, 100-square foot sign along U.S. 460.
nDelayed a decision against closing Oldtown Road between Shawsville High and Middle schools until more information arrives from transportation planners about what type of signal could be used to guard schoolchildren crossing the road. The local PTAs had sought the road closing but residents of nearby neighborhoods opposed it in two earlier public hearings and again Monday.
by CNB